Facsimile telegraph system and apparatus



Oct. 9, 1945. s. H. mamas ET AL 2,386,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS G H. RIDINGS RJ. WISE RNEY Oct. 9, 1945.

G. H. aromas ETAL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4,1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 HHIIHII INVENTORS G H RIDINGS R.J.W|SE

ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1945. e. H. renames ETAL 2,386,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 2m G.H.RIDINGS R.J.WISE l4 BY ATTORNE 1945- s.H. RIDINGS ETAL 2,386,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Fild June 4, 1942 "rSheets-Sheet 4 FIG, 8

INVENTORS G.H.RIDINGS R.J.W|SE BY Oct. 9, 1945.

G. H. RIDINGS ETAL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. l3

ATTORNEY INVENTORS G. H. RI DI NGS R. J. WISE I L ,LT -1 I I I- I n [L2I I I II B l IAC IN I I ,A I 5 I I I z I I g I I 2 IL I ,9 I 1 I 1 25 II I I I 71: I I I 25I\ 388 I l l .u I El 286 384 I I I 248 279 I I k I II I 276 I I 21a I I g I I I 1264 I I 253 I I I I I I I L Oct. 9, 1945.s. H. RIDINGS ETAL 2,336,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7Sheets-Sheet 7 INVERTER AMPUHER AMPLFIER TO FIG.I3

212 mvsmoas u G. H.RIDINGS R .J. WISE Patented Oct. 9, 1945 2.386.283racsmm-z rsmonarn svs'rnm m mam-ms Gal-vice H. Ridings, Summit, andRaleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, N. 1., asslgnors to The Western UnionTelegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication June 4, 1942, Serial No. 445,690

Claims.

This invention relates to automatic facsimile telegraph systems andapparatus. and has particular reference to a facsimile telegraph systemin which means are provided for selecting a desired automatic recorderand transmitting a message or plurality of messages thereto.

. The novel system disclosed hereinafter as an important part of thepresent invention comprises a transmitter station employing an automaticfacsimile transmitter and a plurality of receiver stations eachemploying an automatic self-loading recorder. The system is so arrangedthat any one of these recorders may be selected for reception of amessage from the transmitter, and means are provided for automaticallysending one or more copies of the message. A signaling device isincluded at each receiver station for sending to the transmitter stationa predetermined identifying code to notify the operator at thetransmitter station of the selection of the desired receiver station.This return or answer-back signal is or may be modified to indicate tothe operator at the transmitter station that a previously transmittedmessage has been received by the proper person. It will be understoodthat the term message as used herein may refer to written or printedmatter, pictures and drawings, or any other subject matter to bereproduced by the facsimile process. The system of this invention isparticularly useful for railroad dispatching service, but its usefulnessis not limited to this particular field.

An object of the present invention is to provide for transmission froman automatic transmitter to one of a plurality of automatic selfloadingrecorders, this communication being obtained by a selective process.

A further object ls-to provide an improved automatic facsimile telegraphreceiver capable of being selected for communication purposes and ofbeing controlled from a remote point such, for example, as a transmitterstation.

Still another object is to provide an answerback arrangement whereby aselected receiver station automatically transmits a set of predeterminedidentifying signals.

Still another object of the present invention is to modify theanswer-back signal so as to furnish information to the operator at thetransmitter station.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide forpredetermining the number of times transmission of a given message willbe automatically repeated.

those skilled in the art and are accomplished by the present invention,one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a facsimile transmitter foruse in the system. of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section on line 2-4 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view on line 3-3 of P18. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view on line 4-4 of Fla. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of an automatic facsimile receiverfor use in the system of this invention, certain of the parts beingremoved for the sake of clearness oi illustration;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 8-4 of Fig. 5, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 1-1 of Fig. 8 andillustrates a detail;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8-! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8-4 of Fig. "I;

Fig. 10 is a partial section on line l|ll0 of of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 shows a recording blank for use in the machine of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for atransmitter adapted to control the selection and operation of any one ofa number of receivers from the transmitting end of a communicationcircuit;

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagram showing one circult arrangement forselecting and conditioning a receiver for operation; and

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement forcontrolling and operating the receiver.

The system of this invention comprises a transmitting station employinga transmitter Ill (Figs. 1, 2 and 12), a communication circuit Lcomposed of line conductors LI and L2, a plurality of receiv- 8 stationsat each of which is a selector and control mechanism It,diagrammatically shown by F sand a recorder M. the essential mechanicalparts and electrical wiring of which are shown by Figs. 5 to 10 and 14.The transmitter may be installed at any point on a railroad line, forexample, in the dispatcher's omce or in a railroad station, and therecorders may be placed in small, weather-proof houses along therailroad line at These and other objects will be apparent to f varyingdistances from the transmitter. The

transmitter il in the illustrative embodiment oi the system is similarto the sell-loading transmitter disclosed in Patent No. .2 granted to R.J. Wise et al. on November 11, 1941. The transmitting station isprovided with a conventional impulse dialing mechanism I, which iscommon in telephone practice. and a special rotary switch il, shown inFigs. 1 to 4, for rendering the dialing mechanism efl'ective and forpredetermining the number of copies which are to be automaticallytransmitted to a recorder selected by manipulation of the dial l. Therecorder It may be similar to the recorder disclosed in the copendlngapplication of R. J. Wise et al., Serial No. 389,164, filed April 18,1941. The structural and circuit details of the recorder not disclosedat the present time by an issued patent will be described hereinafterfor the sake of completeness of this disclosure.

The conductors Li and L2 of the communication circuit L are usedsimultaneously for the transmission oi alternating current facsimilesignals or message impulses, and, also, the direct current controlsignals by which the selection of the recorder and the operation of thetransmitting and recording apparatus is controlled. The facsimilesignals originate in the transmitter at the photoelectric cell is (Fig.12) which is connected to an amplifier it, the output circuit or whichis connected through a pair of clocking condensers II to the conductorsLI and L2. The purpose of the blocking condensers is to isolate thealternating current facsimile signals from the direct current controlsignals. At the receiving station the line conductors are connected to asignal inverter II and an amplifier 22. A transformer II couples theamplifier to the recording circuit.

The polarity of the direct current potentials which are applied to theconductor Ll is controlled by apparatus at the receiving station for thepurpose oi operating a polar relay ll connected to this conductor at thetransmitting station. Similarly, the polarity oi the direct currentpotentials. which are applied to the conductor L2. is controlled by theapparatus at the transmitting station for the purpose of operating apolar relay II, forming a part of the selector apparatus. and a polarrelay II oi a selected receiver. Each of these polar relays is of thethreeposition type whereby the tongue is moved to one extreme contact inresponse to one polarity oi potential. to the other extreme contact inresponse to the opposite polarity of potential. and to a mid-positiondisengaged from both oi the extreme contacts in response to atic-current condition.

Although Figs. 13 and 14 o! the drawings show only two recorders I 4 andIla. it will be understood that a number of separate recording stations,each provided with a selector mechanism II, may normall be connected toa single communication circuit. The selector and control mechanism Ilaassociated with the recorder its is identical with the mechanism It.

In the present invention, the transmitter II at the transmitting stationis located in a box or housing 21 adapted to be mounted on any suitablesupport such. for example. as a wall or pedestal. The mechanicalfeatures and details of the transmitter selected for purposes 01'illustration are similartothosedisclosedandclaimedlnlatent No.2,202,715, above-mentioned, and reference is I made thereto for adetailed mechanical description. In the present disclosure. electricalcircuit details necessary to a complete understanding of this inventionare shown by Fig. 12. A slot 18 (Fig. l) accessible from the front ofthe box 21, is connected with a chute 20 which extends to a pointadjacent a message scanning cylinder Ill adapted to be driven throughsuitable gearing (not shown) by a synchronous or other speedcontrolledmotor 3!. The scanning cylinder, the motor and the remaining parts orthe transmitter mentioned hereinafter are diagrammatically shown in Fig.12 01' the drawings. The photocell I8, the exciter lamp 33 and theassociated optical mechanism are mounted on a scanning carriage 34,which is movable longitudinally of the rotary cylinder Iii to scan amessage thereon. A light chopper I8 driven by a motor 31 forms a part ofthe scanning mechanism.

The scanning carriage II is moved longitudinally oi the cylinder III inany known manner by a rotary feed screw driven by the synchronous motor3! and adapted to be connected to the carriage by a half-nut which isbrought into engagement with the feed screw by the armature oi! thehalf-nut operating magnet 38. The slot 28 giving access to the chute 29is normally closed by a closure slide ll connected to the end of thearmature 42 of a chute closure magnet II. A spring 44 holds the slide inthe chute closing position when the magnet is deenerglzed. The scanningcylinder lll is preferably provided with a circumterentlal series orsheet holding teeth similar to the sheet holding teeth of the recordershown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing and the issued patent referred toabove. These teeth engage a message sheet 41 led downwardly through thechute 2! and cause it to be wrapped in position around the cylinder 3!,as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 12. As described in theabove-mentioned patent, the sheet is preferably so formed as to requirebeing inserted in the chute in the way necessary to insure its beingproperly positioned on the cylinder for correct transmission of themessage subject matter. It will be understood. however. that any knownmeans for securing the sheet on the cylinder 30 may be employed. whenthe sheet 41 is on the cylinder, it closes the contacts of a switch is.When no message sheet is on the cylinder, the operating arm Is for theswitch II is accommodated by a groove in the cylinder 30.

when a message sheet on the cylinder II is to be removed, it is strippedfrom the cylinder by a stripper blade formed on or by the armature of astripper magnet ll. Details or a similar stripper blade are illustratedby Figs. 5 and 8 of the drawings. The dimensions or the message sheet I!are such that a gap is left between the edges of the sheet that iswrapped around the cylinder. The message sheet is stripped from thecylinder by energizing the magnet 5i which moves the stripper blade intoposition against the cylinder so that its edge slips under the edge 01'the message sheet and peels it from the cylinder. when peeled from thecylinder, the sheet mererably falls into a bin or the like where itremains until collected by an authorised person having access to the binthrough a locked closure or the like.

The copy selecting and starting switch I! of the present inventionprovides a means for automatically transmitting a desired number ofcopies to a recorder selected by the dial mechanism It and the selectorand control mechanism It. The switch II is secured by lu s II to achannel member ll carried by the frame 01 the transmitter ll.

A shaft I0, rotatably mounted in the top plate member 31 of insulatingmaterial and a bottom member 03, carries a bridging contact wiper arm 50which engages a series of contact studs 6|. A brush arm 32 slides on acollector-ring 03 and is electrically connected to the wiper arm 00. Thebrush arm and wiper arm are insulated from the shaft as shown. The rangeof movement of the wiper arm is limited, in the illustrative embodiment,to six contact studs by a stop arm 8 which engages the posts 33separating the plates 31 and II. The upper portion of the shaft projectsabove the sloping top 01 of a cover member 00 and is provided with anoperating knob or handle 00. A dial in the form of appropriate markingsI2 cooperates with a pointer I3 formed on the handle I! or othersuitable means to indicate the position of the wiper arm 33.

To provide for advancing the wiper arm 50 one step upon completion of ascanning operation, a ratchet wheel H having ratchet teeth I8 is securedto the shaft 50. A jockey roller ll carried by an arm 10 pivoted at 00is pressed into the notches between the ratchet teeth by a sprin 10. Thefree end 3i of the pivoted armature 82 of a stepping magnet 33 ispositioned to press against the flank of a tooth I3 of the ratchet wheelwithout interference from the adjacent flank of the next succeedingtooth when the masnut 03 is energized to advance the shaft angularly byan amount equal to the angular spacing between the ratchet teeth. Aspring 04 biases the armature out of engagement with the ratchet wheel.When the stepping magnet 83 is deenergized, the wiper arm 39 may bemanually moved over the contact studs without interference from thearmature 32. A spring 30 keeps the end ll of the armature in positivelaterally.

A pair of openings or windows 00 in the front of the box 20 is providedwith signs 31 and 83 for giving information concerning transmission ofthe message to the operator of the transmitter II. The signs areindicated diagrammatically in Fig. 12 and are illuminated at appropriatetimes by lamps l0 and iii controlled and operated by electrical circuitsto be described hereinafter.

The recording apparatus shown in detail i Figs. to may, as stated above.be inst lled at outlying points or stations more or less remote from thetransmitter I0, and these receiving stations need not have an attendantpresent when a message is received and stored in them. The recorder I4,which is identical with the recorder a and other recorders connected tothe c mmunication circuit L, comprises a supoortin frame 03 havingforwardly projecting side wal s II and a front panel 03 mounted onhinges 91, permitting the panel to be swung o en to give access to themechanism mounted within the frame and also on the inner face of thepanel. Anv suitable fastener or look 00 may be employed to secure thepanel in c osed operative position. The. paper feed mechanism supportedby the panel includes a roll 33 of individual blanks IOI supported,preferably in overlapping relationship as shown in Fig. 6. on anelongated belt I02 of any suitable material, the end of the belt beinsecured to a mandrel I03. The belt nd supp r-ti blanks are rolledtogether around the mandrel to form the blank supply roll 00.

The opposite ends of the mandrel I03 are supported in inclined slots nreel supporting b ck t arms I mounted on the inner face of the hin edpanel I. A rod I01 extends betw en the arms and is engaged by the faceof the supply reel.

As the reel is reduced in diameter through use, the mandrel will slidedown the inclined slots, keeping the face of the reel in contact withthe rod I01, which thus serves as a brake to prevent over-running of thewheel after movement of the belt has ceased. A guide plate I00 extendsacross the width of the reel and is pivotally supported along one edgeon a pivot I00. The other edge rests on the reel under the run of thebelt as it is drawn off. The plate prevents any blank from following thereel rather than being drawn 08 with the belt. A pair of guide stripsIII directs the blanks across and over an idle roller II2 rotatablysupported by brackets II4 near the top of the panel 90. From the idlerroller N2 the belt I02 passes downwardly around a second idler roller H3rotatably supported by brackets Ii'I, through an elongated opening H0adjacent the bottom edge of the panel, and from there to a belt take-upreel II! rotatably mounted on the spaced arms I2I of a bracket securedto the supporting shelf I22 provided at the bottom of the panel 00 onthe outside. The take-up reel is received in slots I23 in the bracketarms I2I. With the above-disclosed arrangement of pivoted guide plateI00 and guide strips III, it is not necessar. to overlap the blanks onthe supporting belt of the supply reel in order to feed them across theroller I I2, as the plate and strips insure this operation,Nevertheless, even when the plate and strips are employed, it willusually be preferable l to overlap the blanks in order to provide asmany blanks as possible with a given length of belt. The arrangement ofthe plate I00 and inclined slots in the bracket arms I00 is such thatthe plate remains substantially tangent to the supply roll at all times.

The take-up reel may be driven by any suitable mechanism such, forexample, as a motor I20 mounted on the outside of the panel 33 above thereel and operatively connected to it through gearing I20. The motorshaft I21 extends above the motor housing and is provided with a fan orthe like I23 for ventilating and cooling the housing.

A third idler roller I20, generally similar to the idler roller H2, ismounted in brackets ill at the bottom of the panel 00 adjacent the panelslot IIB. An endless belt I32 passes over the vertically spaced idlerrollers H2 and I20.

It will be apparent that the belts I02 and I32 form the moving sidewalls of a chute having stationary end walls I33 secured to the panel00. The recording blanks pass down the chute to the recording mechanismwhich lies beneath. As illustrated. the belts diverge slightly from topto bottom. Obviously, operation of the take-up reel I I9 unwinds thebelt I02 and the associated blanks from the supply reel 99, drawing themover the upper idler roller H2 and the belt I32, these parts movingtogether. As indicated in Fig. 6, unwinding of the belt I02 and theblanks NI releases the latter one at a time, permitting them to dropinto position to be delivered to the recording cylinder under control ofa phasing or framing impulse or other signal. This position isdefinitely determined by stops in the form of ledges I" at the lowerends of stop flnge. i3? extending downwardly from the shelf I22. A pairof cooperating fingers i30 extending downwardly from the bearingbrackets ill is located to one side of the stop fingers I31 and guidesthe lower edge of the blank into engagement with the stops I33.

A recording cylinder I39 is mounted on a shaft Hi rotatably supporte'din the side walls 00 of 'wall 88 through which it extends.

the frame 88. The shaft Ill is rotated from any suitable source of powersuch as a motor I42 through worm gearing I82. A circumferential seriesof blank holding teeth I extends around the cylinder I88 near one of itsends and projects beyond its periphery a sufficient distance to pierce ablank and hold it on the cylinder in the manner described hereinafterand in the patent referred to above. The shape of the individual teethmay be varied, but a more or less saw-toothed shape has been found to besatisfactory. The transmitter cylinder 38 (Fig. 12), as statedpreviously, is also provided with teeth similar to the teeth I.

A peripheral groove I88 is formed in the cylinder and receives a fingerI41 secured to a rod I88 rotatably mounted in the adjacent frame sideThe projecting end of the rod I88 carries a switch actuating arm I88 foroperating a switch I5I mounted on the side wall. A torsional spring I52surrounding the rod I88 has one end secured to the frame side wall andthe other to a collar I53 which is fastened on the rod I88 for normallypressing the finger I81 into the slot I88. Obviously, when a blank is inposition on the cylinder I88, the finger I81 is held out of the grooveI88, thus raising the switch actuating arm I48. The function of theswitch I8I will be described in connection with a description of theoperation of the entire system disclosed by Figs. 12 to 14 of thedrawings.

A blank IIII, which is in the position shown in Fig. 8, with its loweredge resting on the ledges I38 of the two stop fingers I31, is deliveredto the rotating recording cylinder I88 at the desired moment by a pushermechanism which is illustrated as being composed of grooved rollers I84rotatably supported on one end of a frame I58 connected to theprojecting end of a core I81 of a solenoid I58 biased by tension springsI88 away from the recording cylinder. The rollers are grooved toaccommodate the fingers I81. When the solenoid I58 is energized, in thisinstance through the medium of a phasing pulse received from thetransmitter, the grooved rollers I88 are projected against the adjacentedge of the blank I8I, forcing it against the teeth I of the rotatingcylinder which pierces the blank and draws it onto the cylinder.

A frictionally driven contact brush I8I (Figs. 7 to 9) cooperating witha stationary commutator ring I82 of insulating material having a contactsegment I88 controls the time of energize.- tion of the solenoid I88 inaccordance with the phasing pulse received from the transmitter. Theinsulating commutator ring I82 is secured by suitable fastening means,such as the screws I88. to the inside surface of the left hand sideframe 84. The brush (8| is mounted on a ring I88 which is adiustablysecured to the driven member I88 of a frictional driving device by screwI88 (Fig. 9) projecting through arcuate slots I88. The driving member ofthe frictional driving device is in the form of a sleeve or bushing I18which receives a collar I1I secured thereto by a set screw I12. Thesleeve I18 is slotted at I88 to receive a set screw I81 which securesthe sleeve I18 and th collar I" to the shaft "I. The collar I1Imaintains two friction members I18 and I88 in frictional drivingengagement with the driven member I88 and the ring I88, respectively, bycompression of a spider-shaped spring member I88. The driven member I88is provided with a stop arm I18 which projects radially so as to engagethe pivoted armature I18 of a clutch releasing magnet I18 (Fig. 5)secured on a bracket I11, which depends from the side frame 84. Theangular position of the brush I8I with respect to the stop arm I18 isadjustable by loosening the screws I88. The sleeve I18 with itsassembled parts may be adjusted axially of the shaft III by looseningthe set screw I81.

A presser roller I18 (Fig. 6) is rotatably mounted on a stem I18projecting outwardly from a bracket arm I8I supported on the side frame84. A spring I82 draws the roller I18 yieldingly against the face of thecylinder to hold a blank I8I against twisting when it is stripped fromthe cylinder.

As soon as a blank is removed from the ledges I88 of the stop fingers I81 and is delivered to the recording cylinder upon occurrence of aframing pulse, the take-up reel I I8 is operated, drawing the belt I82oil the supply roll 88 until the next blank is deposited on the stopfinger ledges. This serves to stop further operation of the takeup reelin a manner now to be described. The mechanism for controlling theoperation of the take-up reel H9 through its motor I28 is shown in Figs.10 and 14 as comprising a photocell I88 located in a housing I84 hungbelow the shelf I22 on the hinged panel 88. A lamp I88 for exciting thephotocell is mounted opposite the photocell so that light directed fromthe lamp by a reflector I88, or other means, is cut of! from the cell bythe presence of a blank on the stop fingers I81. This serves to open thecircult of the take-up reel motor I24, as hereinafter described, anddiscontinues the feeding of another blank until the proper time.

A recording stylus I81 and its associated mecha'nism are mounted on andin a scanning carriage I88 which is supported for scanning movementlongitudinally of the cylinder I38 on a rod IN by a beveled roller I82mounted in a bracket I88 secured to the bottom of the carriage. Aninverted U-shaped bracket I88 on the back of the carriage slidablyembraces a guide rod I88. It will be apparent that the scanning carriageI88 can be easily removed from the machine merely by lifting it off thesupport and guide rods and be as easily replaced. The stylus I81 isconnected by a wire I88 to the projecting end of the vertically movablearmature I81 of a stylus magnet I88 also mounted on the scanningcarriage III.

A half-nut I88 is located beneath the scanning carriage for verticalmovement into and out of engagement with a feed screw "I, the latter ofwhich is mounted for rotation in the frame side walls 88 and is drivenfrom the shaft Ill of the recording cylinder I88 through gearing 282. Asimilar feed screw and half-nut is provided in the transmitter I8, asstated above. Other gears may be substituted for the gears 282 to varythe number of lines scanned per inch, and for this reason they arelocated in a readily accessible position on the outside of the frame.

Scanning movement of the carriage I88 occurs when a half-nut magnet 288(Fig. 5), mounted on the carriage, is energized to shift the halfnut I88into engagement with the feed screw 28I. Any conventional mechanism 288such as that shown may be employed for operatively connecting the half-nut to the magnet armature. At the end of a scanning operation thehalf-nut is disengaged from the feed screw and the carriage returned toits original position at the left of Fig. 5 by a carriage return sprin288 connected between the side wall 34 and the inverted U-shaped bracketIN secured to the carriage.

The circumference of the recording cylinder I39 is such that, when ablank 32 is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, its edges overlapslightly to afford a smoother path for the stylus and to keep it fromtouching the cylinder. Each blank has a beveled corner 206 (Fig. 11)formed in such a way that, when the blank is on the cylinder. the bevelprovides an open space between the edges at one end. This space per-Inits a stripping finger 201, extending upwardly from the armature 20801' a magnet 23!, to be inserted through the open space and under ablank for the purpose of stripping it from the cylinder. The armature233 is pivoted on a pin 2 and biased by a coil spring 2|2 intoinoperative position. This magnet assembly is adiustably mounted inslots 2 in a bracket 2", the latter bein adjustably mounted by means ofslots 2H on a hanger 2" below the frame 93. By this means the stripperfinger is adjustable diametrically and longitudinally of the scanningdrum. A chute or other receptacle 219 (Fig. 6) receives the mes sageblanks which are removed from the cylinder by the stripper finger. Thischute may, if desired, be provided with a locked closure so that only anauthorized person may have access to the recorded messages.

At the right hand end of the recording cylinder a guide plate 228 isprovided for guiding the blank Illi as it is drawn onto the cylinder,and a circular guide strip 22! extends around a substantial part of thesame end of the cylinder to keep the blank at that end from moving awayfrom the cylinder.

Referring more particularly to Figs. and 6, the operation of themechanical features of the recorder thus far described will be obvious.Assuming a blank to be in feeding position on the ledges i3i of the stopfingers I31, upon receipt of a framing impulse the magnet I58 isenergized. causing the presser rollers F54 to be projected to the rightin Fig. 6, pressing the lower edge of the blank into engagement with therotating cylinder I39, the teeth I of which penetrate the blank andcause it to be wrapped around the cylinder with its edges overlappingexcept at the bevel 206. Removal of the blank from the stop fingers l3!uncovers the reflector Hi8, permitting the lamp I85 to excite thephotocell I83 to close the circuit of the paper feed motor I24, causingthe take-up reel to draw the belt I02 of! the supply roll 39 until thenext blank has been released and drops onto the stop finger I31, cuttingoff light to the cell and discontinuing further blank feeding.

During the scanning operation the carriage i'eed screw 2III is rotatedfrom the motor I42 through the cylinder drive shaft Ill and drivinggears 282 to produce the necessary scanning movement 0! the carriage andstylus longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. Incoming fac-' similesignals cause the stylus to record the incoming messages on the blank inposition on the scanning cylinder. When the scanning operation iscompleted, the half-nut is disengaged from the carriage feed screw.permitting the carriage to be returned to its starting position by thespring 234. Also, the stripper magnet 2" is energized, causing thestripper finger to strip the recorded blank from the cylinder.

It will be apparent that the entire blank reeding mechanism is mountedon the hinged front panel 86 and is readily accessible for adjustment orrepair upon merely opening this panel. A safety switch 222 (Fig. 14) inthe power line to the machine is operated to cut ofi power from themachine upon openin the panel.

In order that an attendant may be apprised of the fact that the supplyof recording blanks is approaching the point of depletion, one expedientwhich is contemplated is the inclusion in the series of blanks of onehaving a different marking or color than the others. Such a coloredblank may be placed in the supply roll so that it will be followed by apredetermined small number of other blanks before the supply isexhausted. Upon noting the appearance of such a distinctively coloredblank, the attendant may make preparations for the substitution of a newsupply roll of blanks in time to prevent the recorder from becomingdisabled by reason of the exhaustion of the supply of recording blanks.

The operation of the system will be described in conjunction with Figs.12 to 14 of the drawings taken together. It is assumed that theequipment shown by these three figures is idle and that the alternatingcurrent bus bars A and B at the transmitting and receiving apparatus areconnected to a source of power. An operator at the transmitter desiringto send one or more copies of a message to one of the recorders lloperates the handle Oil of the copy selecting and starting switch 11 tothe position marked "dial," operating a relay MI by reason of a circuitextending from the B bus bar through the collector ring 53, the brusharm 82, the wiper arm 59, one of the contact studs GI, and the windingof the relay 224 to the A bus bar of the alternating current supply. Amake contact 226 of the relay 224 causes energization of a relay 22]from the bus bars A and B.

The closure of the make contact 223 or the relay 22? connects the A busbar oi the alternating current source to a secondary bus bar which islabeled A. Connected between the bus bar A and the bus bar B are theexciter lamp 33, the driving motor 3| for the scanning cylinder 30 andthe feed screw for advancing the carriage, which houses the opticalscanning apparatus, and, also, the motor 31 for driving the lightchopper disc 32. Also, a rectifier 229 for providing direct currentsignaling potentials is connected to the alternating current source. Itis presumed that the amplifier I! is at all times conditioned foroperation. The exciter lamp 23 being energized, an unmodulated carriercurrent of maximum amplitude is generated by the reflection of the lightfrom the 7 cylinder 30 and is transmitted over the conductors oi thecommunication circuit L to be employed at the selected receiving stationin a manner to be described.

Another make contact 23I on the relay 224 energizes an impulse producingdialing relay 232 from the bus bar B through the impulse producingcontacts 233 of the dial mechanism I3 to the secondary bus bar A. Themake contact 235 of the dialing relay 232 connects the line conductor L2to the negative pole of the rectifier 229 by way of the break contact231 of a relay 238 and the break contact 235 of the ground transferrelay 238. The relay 238 is deenergized at this time, since the tongueof the polar relay 2! is in its midposition. The relay 233 is alsodeenergized, since the circuit for its operating coil is open at a breakcontact 2" of the relay 221.

The dialing mechanism I3 is manipulated to transmit impulses to thepolar relays 25 (Fig. 13) M ths recorders on the communication circuit Lin accordance with the predetermined code to select the recorder 14 withwhich communication is desired. These impulses in the nature 01'interruptions oi the negative potential applied to L2 at the tongue andmake contact 222 of the relay 222 operate the mechanism of a selector242 (Fig. 13) irom the tongue and contact 5 of the associated polarrelay 25. The selector 242 is oi the well-known Gill selector type whichoperates in response to the predetermined series of signals to close aset of contacting elements such as 244. The contacting elements 244 arenormally open and close only after the operating coil 242 01 theselector has been energized and deenerglaed in a predetermined manner inaccordance with a predetermined series of signals. Power for operatingthe mechanism of the selector 242 is obtained through a rectifier andfilter combination 241 from an alternating current source which isconnected to the alternating current bus bars A and B of Fig. 13.

Upon completion oi the dialing operation, the contacting elements 244 orthe selector 242 are closed to energize a relay 242 from the alternatingcurrent bus bars. The first relay tongue and make contact 221 of therelay 242 connects the alternating current source to the recorder l4 byway or the operating coil of a load responsive relay 252 from which thecircuit may be traced from Fig. 13 into Fig. 14 as a continuation oi thebus bar B to'the amplifier 224 and by way of switch 222 to the bus barA. After the cathode heaters and filaments or the vacuum tubes in anamplifier 254 (Fig. 14) are heated, the alternating current signalgenerated in the photocell i2 and applied to the line conductors LI andL2 through the condensers 22 causes operation of a relay 2" from theoutput of this amplifier. Through a make contact 251 of this relay theinput circuit of a vacuum tube 222 is energized to cause plate currentto fiow in the plate circuit thereof, thereby energizing a relay 2Mconnected in series with the output circuit of the tube. The closure oithe make contact 262 of this relay connects the bus bar A through thepanel saiety switch 222 to a conductor 222 which energizes the drivingmotor I42 for the recording cylinder 12! and the carriage feed screw 2M.The resulting increased flow 01' current in the operating coil of therelay 252 (Fig. 13), due to the operating load 01 the recorder l4,causes this relay to operate so that its tongue and make contact 224bridges the tongue and make contact 22l oi the relay 242, permittingthis last-named relay to be de-energized in a manner to be explained,without shutting down the recorder 14.

With a recording blank lfli on the ledges I26 oi the stop fingers I21 inreadiness to be applied to the recording cylinder I22, the positive poleof a suitable source of direct current signaling potential is connectedto the line conductor Li through the break contact 222 01' the blanksupply control relay 21l, the break contact 212 of a relay 212, and thebreak contact 214 of the relay 2". A code disc 212 (Fig. 13) driven by amotor 211 identifies the selected recorder l4 by means of code teeth 212which operate a pair of contacts 212 connected in the line Ll. The disc212. for each recorder connected to the communication circuit L, has adistinctive number and/or positioning of the teeth 212. A condenser 221provides a path for the alternating current generated in the photocellII of the transmitter ill.

At the transmitting station the tongue of the polar relay 24 vibratesagainst the contact M in response to the positive potential on line Llto sound the answer code on a, buzzer 224 or other desired signalingdevice. The energizing circuit for the buzzer extends from the A bus barthrough the tongue and contact M oi the polar relay 24, a make contact222 of the relay 224 to the B bus bar. The code signal which is receivedfrom the selected recorder i4 assures the operator at the transmittingstation that he has obtained communication with the desired receiver.

It will be assumed that he desires to transmit two copies of a givenmessage to the selected receiver and therefore the copy selector switchl1 will be moved from the Dial position to the No. 2 position. This willrelease relay 224 and relay 222. The de-energlzatlon of relay 222 willremove the negative potential from the line L2.

The effect at the recorder of the removal of the negative potential fromline L2 is to center the tongue of the polar relay 2!, thereby openingthe contacts 244 of the selector 242 to re.-. lease the relay 242. Thecode motor 211 stops and the interrupter contacts 212 areshort-circuited at a, break contact 222 of the relay 242.

De-energization of the relay 224 which, as just explained, occurred uponmoving the switch II to the No. 2 position, connects the contact M ofthe polar relay 24 to the chute magnet 42. The chute magnet is energizedat this time from the bus bar A, through the contact M or the polarrelay 24, the break contact 2 of relay 224 and a break contact 22l of arelay 222 to the bus bar B. The tongue of the polar relay 24 is on its Mcontact because of the positive potential applied to line Li in themanner explained above. The Deposit message" sign '1 is illuminated bythe lamp 22 connected in parallel with the operating coil of the chutemagnet 42. Energization of the chute magnet 42 withdraws the closure 4|from the upper end of the chute 29 so that the message sheet 41, havinga previously inscribed message thereon, may be inserted therein, afterwhich it is conveyed by gravity to the scannim cylinder 22.

As soon as the message sheet 41 is mounted on the scanning cylinder. theswitch 42 is closed. thereby energizing the relay 222 which causesde-energization oi the chute magnet 42 and extinguishes the "Depositmessage" lamp 22. Thus the chute is closed to prevent the insertion ofother sheets. Energization of the relay 222 connects the bus bar B toone terminal of the half nut magnet 22 through a make contact 224 of therelay 222. The other terminal or the half nut magnet is connected to thebus bar A" through the break contact 2 oi the relay 224 and the contactM of the polar relay 24. The half nut engages the feed screw therebyimparting scanning motion to the carriage 24 containing the scanningapparatus. The lamp II is connected in parallel with the winding of thehalf nut magnet which becomes illuminated to illuminate the e beingtransmitted" sign 22. The closure oi a make contact 228 of the half nutmagnet 22 connects the positive terminal oi the rectifier 222 to theline L2 through the break contact 221 of the relay 222, a break contact221 of the relay 222, a break contact 222 of a relay 222, and a makecontact 221 of the relay 222. The relay 222 was energized at the breakcontact 241 01' the relay 224 upon movement oi the copy selector switch11 from the Dial position.

At the recorder the tongue of the three-position polar relay 20connected to the line conductor L2 moves to the contact M in response tothe positive potential applied to the conductor L2 upon energization ofthe transmitter half nut magnet 33. The winding of a relay 303 is thusconnected between the bus bars A and B and consequently is energized tooperate its contacts. A make contact 304 of relay 303 is connected toshunt the break contact 239 of the relay 2' for a purpose to be fullydescribed is scanned to generate an alternating current signal having aminimum amplitude. Reception of this signal at the recorder momentarilydeenersizes the relay 25G, permitting closure of a break contact 3i. Acircuit is thus completed for operation of the brush arm stop magnet H6and extends from the positive terminal of a conven lent source of directcurrent through a break cntact ill of a relay 3l3, the magnet ili, breakcontact Iii of the relay 256, and the make contact 32! of the relay 303,to ground. The armature lli oi the magnet H6 is moved from engagementwith the stop arm ill for the frictionally urged framing brush iii, andallows the framing brush to make one revolution. Durin this revolutionthe relay 3H is energized from the direct current source, the breakcontact 318 o! the relay 3", the segment I63, and the brush ill toground. The closure oi a make contact 323 of the relay 3 locks thisrelay so that upon reoperation oi the relay 256 in response toalternating current signals having amplitudes greater than the minimumamplitude, the relay Ill is maintained energized independently of therelay 2". The break contact 309 of the relay 3H de-energizes thetransformer 307 and extinzuishes the light I85 temporarily. The closureof a make contact 324 of the relay 3 completes a circuit from a source321 of direct current through the winding of the phasing magnet I58.This magnet actuates the rollers I54 which force the blank l0l into aposition where it is gripped by the teeth I or the recording cylinderl3! and is thus wrapped around the cylinder in position for recording.The removal of the blank ill from in front of the photoelectric cell M3does not produce any result at this time because the light I" isextinguished. As soon as the advancing edge of the recording blankreaches the arm I", the switch l5l controlled thereby is closed. Thisoperation connects the windin of the relay 3i! between the bus bars Aand B, thereby operating the contacts of this relay. The opening 01' thebreak contact 3i8 deenergizes the relay ill, but connected in parallelwith the winding of this relay is a condenser 32! which is of sufficientsize to delay the release of the contacts of this relay until therecording blank is completely mounted upon the recording cylinder I33.After this operation has been completed the contacts of the relay 3 arereleased, thereby deenergizing the phasing magnet I58. The closure ofthe break contact 303 of the relay 3H again energizes the transformer301 and operates the light I05 to excite the photoelectric cell I83,thereby energizing the input circuit of a vacuum tube 33L Connected inthe output circuit of this tube 33l is the relay 2' which thus becomesenergized to close its make contact 333, thereby connecting one terminalof the blank feed motor I24 tothe bus bar B. The other terminal of thismotor is connected through the make contact 262 of the relay 2lil andthe switch 222 to the A bus bar. The operation of this motor con veysone of the recording blanks llli from the supply roll 93 into a positionto be mounted subsequently upon the recording cylinder, in whichposition the light falling upon the photocell I83 is interrupted. Thevacuum tube 33l thereupon becomes inoperative, releasing the relay 2' tostop the motor I24. Release of the relay 2ll permits positive directcurrent potential to be connected through the break contact 259 of therelay 2ll, through a break contact 212 of the relay 2l3, and through themake contact 210 of the relay 26l, to the line conductor LI. as statedabove, to provide the acknowledging signal.

The opening of the break contact 265 of the relay 2' in response tooperation of the vacuum tube 33I opens one circuit from the positivesource of potential. However, this potential is not disconnected iromthe line conductor Ll by reason of the shunt path provided through themake contact 304 of the relay 303.

The operation of the relay 3|! in response to the mounting of therecording blank upon the cylinder I39 completes a circuit from the busbar A through a make contact 342 of this relay, through windings of thehalf nut magnet 203 and the stylus magnet I38 in parallel, to the busbar B. The stylus I8! is thus moved into recording position in contactwith the blank I0! and the half nut is moved into engagement with thefeed screw, thereby imparting a scanning movement to the carriage.

As the facsimile signals generated at the transmitter are received atthe recorder, they are applied, after inversion and amplification, tothe recording blank for the reproduction of the subject matter beingscanned at the transmitter. These signals also are applied to the relay256, which will vibrate as the amplitude of the signals varies betweenmaximum and minimum values, but the closure of the break contact 3l6 ofthis relay is ineiiective to operate the relay 3i i, since the operatingcircuit of this relay is open at the break contact 3IB of the relay 3".The opening and closing of the contact 251 of relay 256 alternatelyenergizes and tie-energizes the input circuit of the vacuum tube 258,but this circuit is provided with means for delaying the de-enerEiZatlonthereof during the interval of time that the contact 251 is open. Thisis accomplished by providing a condenser 343 connected between the gridof the tube and a source of negative potential. When the contact 251 isclosed, this condenser is charged to a potential whereby the inputcircuit of the tube is energized. As soon as the contact 25'! is opened,the charge on the condenser begins to dissipate through a leak resistor344 and after the lapse of a predetermined time, the potential of thegrid of the tube becomes sufficiently negative with respect to itscathode that the plate current is reduced to a value which isinsuflicient to maintain the relay 26l operated. However, the values ofthe condenser 343 and the leak resistor 3 are chosen so that the platecircuit of the tube 253 draws sufllcient current during the normaloperation of recording that the relay 281 remains operated.

At the transmitter, when the carriage 34 containin the scanningapparatus has advanced to the end of its movement, a normally openswitch 341, operated by the carriage, is closed, thereby closing acircuit from the bus bar B through the winding of the relay 293, and anormally closed carriage operated switch 343, to the bus bar A. Relay299 is thus energized and locked at its make contact 349 to open itsbreak contact 298 and thereby disconnect the positive potential from theline conductor L2. Closure of the contact 348, in addition to lockingthe relay 293, energizes the stepping magnet 33 of the copy selectingswitch 11 to step its contact arm 59 from the No. 2 stud to the No. 1stud.

At the recorder, the disconnection of positive potential from lineconductor L2 disengages the armature f the polar relay 26 from its righthand contact M and thereby opens the operating circuit for the relay303. The release of this relay closes a. circuit from positivepotential, through a make contact 350 of the relay 3H, the winding ofthe relay 335, and a break contact 351 of the relay 303, to ground.Operation of the relay 335 closes a circuit through its make contact 352to connect the winding of the blank stripping magnet 209 between the busbars A and B. The sheet containing the recording is thus removed fromthe cylinder I33, permitting the switch III to open. Relay 319 is thusreleased and the closure of a break contact 353 of this relay completesa circuit from the bus bar A through a make contact 354 oi? the relay336, through the winding of the relay 213, and a break contact 356 of arelay 351, to the bus bar B. Relay 213 is thus operated and lockedthrough its make contact 353. When the relay 213 is energized and lockedthrough its own contact, positive potential is removed from the lineconductor Ll.

It will be noted that the operating circuit of the stripping magnet 289includes the make contact 352 of the relay 336, which, at the time thatthe relay 3!!! is released by the opening of switch l5! controlled bythe recording sheet, is de-energized by the opening of the make contact350 of relay 3H3. However, a condenser 383 is provided in parallel withthe winding of the relay 336 which delays the release of its contactsuntil after the sheet had been completely removed from the cylinder.

The removal of the positive potential from the line conductor Llproduces a response at the transmitter by the polar relay 24 whereby thearmature of this relay is disengaged from its contact M to de-energizethe half nut magnet 33, thereby opening the contacts 298 and permittingthe return of the carriage 34 to its original position.

Energization oi the relay 213 (Fig. 14) also connects negative potentialthrough the break contact 385 of the relay 3H3, the make contact 351 ofthe relay 213 and the make contact 214 of the relay "I to the lineconductor Ll.

At the transmitting station, the negative potential connected to theline conductor LI eflects operation of the tongue of the polar relay 24to its contact S. The normally closed carriage operated switch 348 isopened upon return of the carriage 34 to its starting point which causesthe relay 239 to be unlocked. The bus bar A is connected to the windingof the relay 238 which is connected to the B bus bar via a break contact388 or the relay 239. It is to be noted that the relay 238 cannotoperate until the carriage 34 has returned to the starting position andthe relay 283 has been released by opening oi the switch 348. A makecontact 3H 01' the relay 238 connects the negative pole of the directcurrent signaling source 289 to line conductor L2. The pole changingrelay 233 is disconnected from the bus bar A at the contact M of thepolar relay 24.

At the recorder, in response to the negative potential on L2, the tongueof the polar relay 28 engages the contact S. A circuit is thus closedfor operation of the relay 381 through a break contact 310 of the relay338, the latter being de-energized at this time. Opening of the breakcontact 388 of the relay 351 opens the locking circuit for relay 213,thereby releasing this relay. The opening of the make contact 381 oi.the relay 213 removes the negative potential from the line conductor Ll.Positive potential is restored to the line conductor Ll from the breakcontact 283 of the relay 211.

The tongue of the polar relay 24 at the trans mltter is engaged with itscontact M. In this manner the half nut magnet 30 is again energized andtransmission of the message will be repeated since the relay 282 remainsenergized because of the presence of the message sheet 41 on thecylinder 30 thereby maintaining one terminal of the half nut magnet 33in communication with the bus bar B. The positive terminal of therectifier 228 is again connected to the line conductor L2 in the mannerexplained above.

In response to the positive potential on the line conductor L2, thetongue of the polar relay 26 again engages the contact M to energize therelay 303. The blank in position on the ledges I36 is applied to therecording cylinder ill in register with the message sheet 41 at thetransmitter. The relay 3l8 is operated to energize the stylus magnet I38and the half nut magnet 203.

At the end of the second transmission of the message inscribed on themessage sheet 41, the carriage operated switch 341 is again closed toenergize the relay 203 and thereby disconnect positive potential fromthe line conductor L2. The blank stripping magnet 203 at the recorder isenergized by reason 0! the centering of the tongue of polar relay 28which de-energizes the relay 303 in the manner described above.

Energization of the relay 288 at the transmitter also steps the contactarm ll of the copy selecting switch 11 from the No. l stud to the 012"stud. A circuit is thus established from the bus bar A through thewinding of the sheet stripping magnet II and the contact arm 33 to thebus bar B. As soon as the message sheet 41 has been removed from thecylinder, the switch 48 is opened, de-energizing the relay 232. Onecircuit for the relay 221 extending between the bus bars A and B isbroken when the contact arm 88 leaves the No. 1 contact stud. This relayremains energized, however, through a make contact 314 of the relay 232until this last-named relay is de-energized following removal 01' themessage sheet from the cylinder. De-energization of the relay 221disconnects power from the machine by opening the connection from thebus bar A to the bus bar A.

The scanning apparatus which is de-energized upon release or the relay221 no longer supplies carrier current to the line conductors LI and L2.

At the recorder the absence of carrier current causes release of therelay 2", and at a predetermined time following release of this relay,the timing apparatus associated with the input circuit of the vacuumtube 25! becomes effective to open the plate circuit and causes releaseof the relay 2". Opening of the contact 262 of this relay disconnectsthe bus bar A from the driving motor I 42 and the primary winding of thetransformer ill, and unlocks the relay an. In this manner power isdisconnected from the recording apparatus and it is restored to its idlecondition. The loadresponsive relay in of the selector and controlmechanism II (Fig. 13) will be released when power is disconnected fromthe recorder I so that in order to connect power to this recorder again,it will be necessary to repeat the dialing and selecting processdescribed above.

As a result of the operation of the transmitter II and the recorder ItJust described, two copies of the message inscribed on the message sheet4'! 'will have been deposited in the chute 2!! adjacent to the cylinderI of the recorder Ill. The person or persons for whom these messages areintended will remove them from his chute and operate a relay 3" bymoving its operating knob 31'! to the left as viewed in Fig. 13. Thiscloses a pair of contacts 318 to energize a holding magnet 379 whichattracts the armature 380 to maintain the contacts 318 and an additionalpair of contacts Ill closed. A piece of insulating material 382 securedto the supporting spring for the armature Ill and the handle member 31'!operates the relatively movable contact of each of the pairs of contacts318 and 38! respectively. A cam disc Ill, which is driven with the disc216 from the motor 211, is provided with a cam projection 384 forclosing a pair of contacts 388 once for each revolution of the disc inthe example shown. The contacts 38!, when closed, bridge the camoperated contacts 386 across the cam operated contacts 219. The angularrelationship between the cams 216 and 383 is such that the latter willnot in any way alter the signal produced by the former but will add itsown characteristic signal. In the example shown, the contacts 386 willadd a long dash to the series of dots produced by the contacts 219. Apush button may be employed to operate the relay 316, or if secrecy isdesired, a switch operated by means of a key may be employed. Also, ifdesired, the relay 316 may be operated by a switch arranged to beoperated when a closure for the bin H9 is opened to gain access to thecopy or copies of the received messages. This switch will be effectivelylocked against unauthorized operation in installations in which theclosure is provided with a key or combination lock. The relay 3" mayalso be used to indicate to the operator at the transmitter that thesupply of blanks ilil is low or is exhausted, or other desiredinformation may be furnished.

At any time following transmission of a message to a selected recorder,the operator at the transmitter may check pick-up of the message at therecorder by dialing the same recorder. No message need be sent to shutdown the recorder after it has been selected for this purpose. If therelay has been operated at the recorder the identifying code followed bya long dash will be received. When the operator is satisfied that themessage has been picked up, the selected recorder may be shut down bymoving the switch 41 to any one of the numbered positions. This willrelease the relay 248 (Fig. 13) at the recorder in the manner describedabove. A break contact 388 of this ter, a plurality of recorders, acommunication circuit for providing facsimile communication between saidtransmitter and said recorders, selective means one at each of saidrecorders responsive'to a predetermined coded calling signal for placingthe recorder associated therewith in operative condition for facsimilereception, and means at said transmitter for initiating transmission ofa message to a recorder when it is selectively placed in operation.

2. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, each having a sheet supportingcylinder and means for conveying singly a succession of sheets to therespective cylinders, means for operatively conditioning saidtransmitter to generate a carrier current, selective means at saidrecorder operativeiy to condition said recorder, and means responsive tosaid carrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

3. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, means for operatively conditioningsaid transmitter to generate a carrier current, means capable ofoperation to transmit a coded signal to said recorder, selective meansat said recorder responsive to said coded signal operatively tocondition said recorder, means at said transmitter for disconnectingsaid coded signal transmitting means while maintaining said carriercurrent generating means in operation, and means responsive to saidcarrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

4. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, respective sources of power for saidtransmitter and said recorder for synchronous operation thereof, meansfor connecting said transmitter to its source of power to render itoperative for facsimile transmission by generating an alternatingcurrent, means at said transmitter for sending a coded signal to saidrecorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said codedsignal for connecting said recorder to its source of power to render itoperative for facsimile reception, and other means at said recorderresponsive to said alternating current to maintain said recorderoperative.

5. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machineinterconnected for facsimile communication, one of said machines havinga sheet supporting cylinder, means for holding a sheet on said cylinder,means for locating a sheet in predetermined feeding position adjacentsaid cylinder, and adjustable means responsive to a predeterminedoperation of the other of said machines for applying a sheet in feedingposition to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means.

6. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machineinterconnected for communication, said transmitting machine havingapparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having ablank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder,means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacentsaid cylinder and framing means responsive to said scanning apparatus ata predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applying a, blank infeeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holdingmeans, said framing means comprising a stationary contact and arotatable contact rotating with said cylinder and being adjustable inangular position with respect to said cylinder whereby to vary the timeof applying said blank in feeding position with respect to saidpredetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanningapparatus.

'7. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recordingmachine interconnected for communication, said transmitting machinehaving apparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machinehaving a blank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on saidcylinder, means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding positionadjacent said cylinder and framing means responsive to said scanninapparatus at a predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applyinga blank in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheetholding means, said framing means comprisins a stationary contact and amovable contact, said movable contact deriving its movement from saidcylinder and being adjustable in position with respect to said cylinderwhereby to vary the time of applying said blank in feeding position withrespect to said predetermined point in the cycle of operation of saidscanning apparatus.

8. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder, each having ascanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a successionof single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operatingsaid transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder througha recording cycle to transmit and record a message and means operativeautomatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycleto effect a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles wherebysaid message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times.

9. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder. each having ascanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a successionof single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operatingsaid transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder througha recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operativeautomatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recordin cycleto effect ,a repetition of said transmittin and recording cycles wherebysaid message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times andmeans for predetermining the number of successive scanning operations ofsaid transmitter and recorder.

10. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, means at said transmitter forgenerating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selectivemeans at said recorder responsive to said signal for starting saidrecorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmittingcycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and recorda message, means operative by said transmitter upon the completion ofsaid transmitting cycle to transmit a signal to said recorder toterminate the recording cycle and means responsive to the termination ofsaid recording cycle to restart said transmitter for a repetition ofsaid transmitting cycl whereby said message may be transmitted andrecorded a plurality of times.

11. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, means at said transmitter forgenerating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selectivemeans at said recorder responsive to said signal for starting saidrecorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmittingcycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and recorda message, means operative automatically upon the completion of atransmitting and recording cycle to cause a repetition of saidtransmitting and recording cycles, and presettable means at saidtransmitter actuated upon each repetition of said transmitting cycle,said presettable means being operative upon a predetermined number ofactuations thereof to terminate operation of said transmittingmechanism.

12. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for facsimile communication, means at said recorderoperable to produce a repeat signal, a stepping switch at saidtransmitter, means for manually setting said switch to any desiredposition away from its home position, said switch being responsive tosaid repeat signal from said recorder so as to he stepped towards thehome position with each successive operation of said repeat signalingmeans and means operative by said stepping switch when it reaches saidhome position to eiiect stopping of said transmitting mechanism.

13. In a facsimile telegraph system. a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for facsimile communication, means operable at saidtransmitter to produce and end-of-message signal, means at said recorderoperable in response to said endof-message means for transmitting arepeat signal to said transmitter, and a stepping switch at saidtransmitter responsive to said repeat signal from said recorder to bestepped toward the circuit opening position with each successiveoperation of said end-of-message signaling means, means for presettingsaid switch a variable number of steps from said open circuit positionand means operated by said switch when it reaches said open circuitposition for interrupting operation of said transmitter.

14. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality ofrecorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders withsaid transmitter, selective means at each of said recorders responsiveto a coded signal from said transmitter for connecting the recorder withwhich said selective means is associated to said communication circuit,means at said transmitter for producing coded signals, a combined switchat said transmitter for starting said transmitter and rendering saidcoded signal generating means operable for use when said switch is inone position, and control means for causing said transmitter to operateto transmit subject matter to a selected recorder when said switch is inanother position.

15. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality ofrecorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders withsaid transmitter, means at said transmitter for producing coded signals,selective means at each of said recorders responsive to a predeterminedassume 1 1 coded slsnal from said transmitter or connectativc when saidswitch is in another position for causing said transmitter to operate totransmit facsimile subject matter to a selected recorder and meansoperative when said switch is in a third 5 position to render saidtransmitter inoperative.

GARVICE H. RIDINGB. RALEIGH J. WISE.

. D i scLAiMER 2,386,263. Gar-vice H. Ridings, Suminit, and Raleigh J.Wise, Dunellen, N. J.

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYs-rmu AND Arrsna'rvs.

Patent dated Oct. 9,

1945. Disclaimer filed Oct. 31, 1945, by the assignee, The Western UnionTelegraph Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer of claim '5 in said patent.

[Qflic'ial Gazette December 11, 1945] assume 1 1 coded slsnal from saidtransmitter or connectativc when said switch is in another position forcausing said transmitter to operate to transmit facsimile subject matterto a selected recorder and means operative when said switch is in athird 5 position to render said transmitter inoperative.

GARVICE H. RIDINGB. RALEIGH J. WISE.

. D i scLAiMER 2,386,263. Gar-vice H. Ridings, Suminit, and Raleigh J.Wise, Dunellen, N. J.

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYs-rmu AND Arrsna'rvs.

Patent dated Oct. 9,

1945. Disclaimer filed Oct. 31, 1945, by the assignee, The Western UnionTelegraph Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer of claim '5 in said patent.

[Qflic'ial Gazette December 11, 1945]

